Method of and system for washing out boilers



Jan. 15, 1924; 1,480,737 I S. OTIS METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR WASHENG OUT BOILERS.

Filed Jan. 29, 1920 2 Sheets-Shet 1 w 2206712 or: 206m 0% Jan. 15, 1924. 1,480,737

s. OTIS 1 METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR WASHING OUT BOILERS Filed Jan. 29, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 15, 1924.

SPENCER OTIS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR WASHING OUT BOILERS.

Application filed January 29, 1920. Serial No. 354,767.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, SPENCER OTIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of and Systerns for Washing Out Boilers, of which the following .is a specification.

This invention relates to a method of and a system of apparatus for washing out boilers, particularly steamboilers, and more especially locomotive boilers, and proceeds upon the underlying principle of stirring up the sediment in a boiler to bring it into a state of suspension in the contained water of the boiler, and then drawing it olf with the water serving as a vehicle.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a method of procedure which may be carried on with economy of time and labor, with high eliiciency in operation, and with comparatively simple and inexpensive apparatus.

Accordingly, one feature of the invention consists in blasting into a boiler, while under pressure or while closed against the escape of such pressure as may accumulate therein, and in agitatingrelation to the contained water, a gaseous medium, hereinafter re ferred to as air, having the characteristics of resisting absorption in water, expanding under tie heal; oi the boiler, and readily separating from the water when; permitted, and thereby stirring up. the sediment orprecipitate in the boiler and bringing it into a state of suspension in the contained water, and then driving out the sediment or pre cipitate with the water serving as a vehicle; the pressure for discharging the water with the stirred up sediment being provided either by the normal boiler pressure or by the accumulation oi the air, or by both.

Another feature consists in utilizing the air introduced into a boiler, under the conditions above recited. for the purpose of increasing the heat units recovered from the blown oli water or blown off steam or vapor, or both; this being accomplished by separating the air from the water after it performs its stirring function and passing it to a condenser. the water from which flows to a filling tank. The separation may take place in the boiler, in which instance the air with its heat and moisture, gathered in passing through the water, flows from the steam space of the boiler, either alone or 1n conjunction with steam, through the steam to the condenser. In either instance, the.

heated moist air supplies a material incre ment in the heat units salvaged.

Another feature consists in replenishing the water of the boiler as the water blowoii' proceeds, thereby keeping upthe water. supply, preferably by injecting hot water, and, when desirable, initially raising the level of the water abovethe normal stage to cause submergence of the air delivery iets and insure proper stirring etliect.

Still another feature consists in carrying on the procedure of washing the boiler under the condition oi replenishing the water as the blowoii proceeds, with or without any or all of the other conditions above stated, without drawing the fire. The water introduced for keeping up supply may be at such temperature that it will permit the genera tion oi steam to continue during the procedure. i

A further :teature consists in combining, in a system oi? apparatus for practicing the process under any or all of the preceding conditions, an air injector, steam and water blowoff lines, and a filling line, all adapted to be connected at will with the boiler ofa locomotive; also a vapor and water separator IGC'GlVlDg the discharge of the water blowoit line, a'condenser receiving steam or vapor from the separator and from the steam blowoff line, and a filling tank receivingwater irom the condenser and supplying it to the filling line.

Still a 'l'urther feature in the apparatus employed nsists in a water stirring means oi. the air-blast type located in a boiler above the normal water line therein so that it re mains unimpaired by scale, but alia stage permitting it to be readily submerged by raising the water above the normallev'el in the boiler in order to insure proper stirring action; also means for raising the water level at Will, and means for supplying air under pressure to such.stirring devicey In the accompanying drawings- Figures land 1" together constitute a schematic view showing one arrangement of the system capable of carrying out the method herein referred to.

' Figure 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2 of Figure 8, immediately above the crown-sheet oi the boiler and looking up ward; and

Figure 3 is a vertical section on the line SE -3 of Figure 2. I

1 represents a steam-receiving pipe in a roundhouse or other location where it is desired to blow otl locomotive boilers; and 2 represents flexible connectors by which such pipe may be connected with the blowott 23 ot a locomotive which may be controlled by a valve l. 5 represents a filling line supplying water for refilling the boiler, and 5 is the circulating line for keeping up circulation and proper temperature of water in pipe 5 when water is not being drawn therefrom for use. 6 represents a filling station on the pipeline 5, adapted for attachment of filling hose 6. 7 represents a pipe which is supplied, under pressure, with air or other blast medium of a character that will not absorb in water. Elaid pipe is .provided with connecting stations 8. and constructed for attachment oi hose or other flexible connectors 9. The connectors 9 are adapted to be attached to nipples 1t) tapped into the shell of the boiler at a number of dillerent places advantageous for attaching the sediment, sludge, or precipitate upon the inner surfaces of the boiler. There may be any desired number of these nipples 10. 11

represents the water blowoil pipe, and 11f its hose connection, which might connect directly to the sewer, but which is preferably connected with the steam hlowoit pipe 1 so that the heat units in the impure water may be extracted. For this purpose, pipe 1 has interposed in it a separator 12 where steam and vapor may rise from the water, and from separator 12 the steam pipe 1 leads to a condenser 13 where said steam and vapor are condensed.

When a connector 9 is applied to a nipple and the compressed air or other gaseous medium under pressure is released to the connector, a violent blast is discharged into the boiler in stirring relation to the water contained therein, and preferably also in im pinging relation to the surface from which the precipitated matter is to be dislodgoiil. By this means the precipitated foreign matter is displaced from the surface and so stirred up in the water that it will remain suspended in the water and flow out, with the water serving as a vehicle for its removal.

The procedure of blasting in the dislodg ing and stirring medium preferably takes place after the pressure of the boiler has been considerably or wholly reduced. It the com pressedair is supplied at a pressure of sixty or sevent'ypounds toth'e square inch, itwill be well to reduce the pressure of the boiler to at least thirty pounds. It may be reduced to more atmosphere. lVhile there is an advantage in leaving some of the pressure for use in driving out the refuse and water through the pipe 11, gravity may sufiice for this, or the influence of gravity may be augmented by pressure induced by the accumulating air, to which end, the boiler is closed during the air blasting.

It may be desirable to continue the blasting and agitation for a part of the time that the water and sediment are being drawn oil through the water conduit 11. It is very desirable to replenish water in the boiler not only for such period of time as will be necessary to thoroughly remove the dislodged precipitate, or until clear water escapes from the discharge hose 11, but also so long as water is being discharged, since this permits the tire to be retained under the boiler during the operation. Accordingly, the replenishing water pipe 6, equipped with connector 6 which may correspond to the usual filling pipe, is connected up during the operation. By combining water pipe 6 with the blast pipe 9 and drain pipe 11 new results are obtained, in that ample water for holding the precipitate in suspension is insured at the outset, agitation and stirring may be continued until the water runs clear, and fire may be retained in the boiler while washing out.

The air delivered through the uppermost nipple 10 is preferably distributed over the crown-sheet ll- (Figue 3) by some such ar rangement as the pipe 15 (Figures 2 and 3) having the jet nozzles 1.6. These air nozzles are above the normal water level of the boiler so as to preserve them from impairment by scale, but in such position that they may be readily submerged byintroducing enough water to raise the level to an abnormal stage. This will be done before starting the air blast, and will be continued as an incident oi? replenishing water during the blowofl. That is to say, before releasing the air through the distributing nozzle 16. the water level, which would normally stand but slightly above the crown-sheet, will be considerably raised so as to submer e pipe 15, and also to insure ample body o't water to suspend and convey the stirred. up precipitate and render safe the retention of the fire by insuring maintenance of sutticient water throughout the procedure of stirring up an d blowing off.

the use of a uoinabsorbing medium such as air for the blasting medium, the eroding, dislodging. and stirring effects are greater; the large volume of the air resulting from its release in the-boiler and absorption 'oitfheat from the water is added to that of the steam as a conveyor of heat units tliroi: h the separator'to the condenser;

an increased quantity of steam or vapor is borne upward by the escaping air into the steam space of the boiler and out through the blowofi'; and circulation through the blow-off pipe to the condenser can be maintained after the steam pressure is dissipated.

That portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 may correspond in detail to boiler filling systems made known prior to the present invention or disclosed in previously filed patent applications, differing, however, in the omission of the wash water collecting and return elements. Here, blowofi steam and accumulated agitating air from the locomotive dome 3 pass through pipe 1 directly through the separator 12 to the condenser 13 where they meet water from spray nozzle 18 released thermostatically by valve 19 under control of the thermostat 19 which is responsive to the presence of steam in the condenser, resultant warm water being delivered through pipe 20 to filling tank 21, whence it is returned by pump 22 through filling line 5. Similarly, water blown off through connections 11 and 1 reaches sepa rator 12, and the steam, hot air, and vapor therefrom pass over to condenser 13, greatly increasing the quantity of heat units saved.

In order to compensate for loss of heat in the tank 21 and keep up the temperature of water issuing therefrom, a heater 23 connected by pipe 24.- with the pipe 20 that leads to tank 21, is provided with a steam pipe 25 delivering steam thereinto, preferably exhaust steam from the engine 22, and with a spray nozzle 26 delivering water to condense said steam and provide hot water for the tank. This nozzle 26 is connected with the filling line 5 through the medium of a pipe 27 which is controlled by by-pass valve 28 that is in turn controlled by thermostat 28 in the pipe 29 which connects the feed pump 22 with the tank. smaller than the pipe of the filling line 5, so that itdoes not draw from the latter sufficient water to interfere with the supply at the drops; moreover, the pump being controlled by pressure on the line, as is usual in systems of this kind, and as hereinafter described, a drop in pressure on the discharge side of the pump, due to the opening of by-pass 28, will at once be compensated for by increased output of the pump. Accordingly, whenever the temperature of water passing thermostat 28 falls below a predetermined degree, valve 28 is opened, water flows through the heater 23 and back to the tank 21, and the temperature of water in the tank is raised. Heater 23 is preferably the auxiliary condenser. normally receiving exhaust steam from the engine and conden ing water from the return pipe 5 of the washout line, as described and claimed in the copending application of Frank S. Vichman, Serial No. 323,445. ny having an auto- Pipe 27 is relatively matically controlled by-pass for the water, the heating effect is much more prompt and direct than when the water makes the entire circuit and returns to the heater through the pipe 5 Supply of waterin tank 21 will be maintained by having a float 30 or other form of water level control acting upon a valve 31 which controls a steam pipe 32 communi eating with condenser 13 so that when the level of water in the tank descends below a predetermined limit, steam will be released to the condenser and will act upon the thermostat 19 and open the water valve 19 to maintain a supply of hot water through pipe 20 to the tank 21 until the rise of the water level in the tank closes valve 31, as

described in my copending application Serial No. 308,616.

The pump 22 will have its steam pipe 33 controlled by valve 34 which is in turn subject to control by a known form of pressure element 35 in the filling line 5. so that the action of the pump is always commensurate with the demand on the filling line, as is usual with systems of this kind.

I claim:

1. The improvement in the art of washing out steam boilers'w'hile under pressure, which consists in delivering into the boiler, under a pressure suffioient to overcome the pressure of the boiler and causing to rise through the water of the boiler a gas that is non-absorbing in the water, thereby bringing the sediment to a state of suspension in the water, collecting the added gas under pressure in the steam space of the boiler and evacuating the resultant water and sediment by pressure within the boiler.

2. The improvement in the art of washing out steam boilers while under pressure, which consists in delivering into the lower portion of the boiler, under pressuresuificient to overcome the pressure of the boiler and causing to rise through the water of the boiler simultaneously at a plurality of widely distributed points therein and while thewater is hot a gas that is non-absorbing in the water, thereby bringing the sediment to a state of suspension in the water, collecting the added gas at increased temperature and tension in the steam space of the boiler and evacuating the water and sediment by resultant pressure within the boiler.

3. The improvement in the art of washing steam boilers, which consists in injecting a non-absorbing gas to bring the sediment of the boiler to a state of suspension in the water therein, and evacuating the impure water by the pressure of the contained steam combined with that of the added gas.

1. The improvement in the art of washing steam boilers, which consists in delivering a non-condensing gas into agitating relation to {the water in the boiler, to stir up the sediment and to bring it into a state of suspension in 1116 water, accumulating the added gas in the steam space of the boiler, removing the resultant impure water, and replenishing the watersupply as the impure water is removed.

The improvement in the art of washing boilers, which consists in delivering a .noncondensing gas into agitating relation to the water in the boiler to stir up .the sediment and bring it into a state of suspension in .the water, collecting the added gas in the steam space of the boiler, removing the resultant impure water, and replenishing the water supply by adding hot water as the impure water is removed.

6. The improvement in the .art of washing boilers, which consists in delivering a noncondensing vgas into agitating relation to the water in the boiler to stir up the sediment, collecting .the added gas in thesteam space of the boiler, removing the resultant impure water, and replenishing the water supply as the impure water is removed; {the generation of steam in the boiler being maintained during the procedure.

7. The improvement .in the art of washing steam boilers, whichconsists in delivering a non-condensing gas into agitating relation to the water in the boiler while :under pressure to stir up the sediment therein and bring it into a. state of suspension in the water, collecting theadded gas in the steam space of the boiler and driving out the im pure water by the resultant internal pressure of the boiler; the lire being maintained in the fire box and pressure being kept up in the boiler during the procedure.

8. The improvement .in the art of washing boilers which consists in injecting air under pressure into agitating relation .to the contained water While the water is hot, bringing the sediment into a state of .suspension in the water, adding -;the resultant heated air to the steam in the steam spaceof the boiler, while maintaining the pressure of the boiler, and evacuating @the impure water by the action of such pressure.

9. The improvement in the art of washing boilers, which consists in injecting air into the boiler .in agitating relation to .the con tained water while the water ishotand under steam pressure, thereby heating the injected air and increasing its volume and bringing the sediment of the boiler into a state of suspension. in the water, collecting the expanded hot air in the steam space of the boiler and evacuating the-impure water by the actiono'f the pressure resulting from the steam and injected air.

10. The improvement inithe art of washing out boilers, which consists in .raising the water level of theboiler above its .normal level, stirring, UP. the sediment .of the boiler .to bring it into a state of suspension 111.1 the ncreased volume of water, and enacuating the impure Water from the boiler;

"the water supply being replenished as the impure water is removed.

11. The improvement in the art of wash- ;ing out boilers, which consists in raising the water level of the boiler above its normal level, stirring up the sediment of the boiler to bring it into a state of suspension in the increased volume of water, and evacuating the impure water from the boiler, the agitation being maintained and the water supply being replenished as the impure water is withdrawn.

12. The improvement in the artot cleansing boilers of precipitated foreign matter while under pressure, which consists in partially reducing the steam pressure of the boiler, [then blasting into the boiler, and in agitating relation to the water contained therein, a gaseous medium notabsorbable in water, thereby stirring up the {foreign natter and adding the volume of the iblasting medium to that of the boiler pressure, and then drawing off such foreign ,matter with the water serving as a vehicle therefor.

13. The improvement'in the art .of washing and refilling steam boilers, which consists in blasting into and in agitating relation to the body of water contained in the boiler, a gaseous medium non-absorbent ,in the water, thereby stirring up foreign matter in the boiler, and bringing it to a state of suspension, blowing off such foreign .matter with the water serving as a vehicle there tor, together with steam and said gaseous medium, withdrawing steam or aqueous vapor and said gaseous medium from the blownbit products. and subjectingihe same to a condenser, and delivering the resultant water of condensation to a refilling tank.

14. The improvement in the artot wasl ing and refilling steam boilers, which con sists in blowing off, condensing and delivering to a refilling tank a portion of the containedsteam suflicientto bring the boiler to reduced pressure,.blasting into and in agitating relation to the body oi water contained in the boiler, a bodyot air that rises through the water. therebv stirriin u the forei n h l t! matter and bringing it to a state (it suspen sion. 1n the water, and addmga voluu'ie of an 'to thesteam space above the water, blowing off the foreign matter with the water serving as a vehicle therefor, together with the steam or aqueous vaporand moist air, separating said steam or vapor and air and delivering the same to a condenser, and deliveringthe resultant water of condensation to afilling tank.

15. The improvement in the .artof washing and refilling steam boilers, which consists in blowing ott, condensing and deliveringto arefilling tank aport-ion oft-he contained steam sufficient to bring the boiler to reduced pressure, blasting into and in agitating relation to the body :of Water contained in the boiler, a body of air that rises through the Water, thereby stirring, up the foreign matter and bringing it to a state of suspension in the Water, and adding a volume of air to the steam space above the Water, blowing off the foreign matter with the Water serving as a vehicle therefor, together With the steam or aqueous vapor and moist air,

separating said steam or vapor and air and delivering the same to a condenser, and delivering the resultant Water of condensation to a filling tank; Water being supplied from the filling tank to the boiler, and the Water level in the boiler being kept up (luring'the procedure.

16. An apparatus for Washing out boilers, comprising a steam bloWoff line, a line supplying air under pressure, a Water blowofl? line, a filling line, all of said lines being i adapted to connect Witha steam boiler, a separator receiving Water from the Water blowofl" line, means. for condensing steam or vapor from the steam blowotf line and the separator, and a filling tank receiving the ofi' line, a condenser receiving vapor and fill from said separator, and a refilling tank receiving Water of condensation from said condenser and sup-plying the same tosaid filling line. Y Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 12th day of Jan, 1920.

SPENCER one 

